Old Raven – Smoky Devil (50.1%)

Old Raven Smoky Devil is an Austrian single malt at cask strength, 50.1% ABV. It comes from the Old Raven distillery in Neustift an der Lafnitz, on the border of Styria and Burgenland, and is the distillery's smokiest single malt so far. It is five years old. The barley comes entirely from the Port Ellen Maltings on Islay, and the whisky matured only in first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks. The nose is intensely peaty, with vanilla, raisins and dried plums. The palate is complex yet harmonious, with cherry mint, tobacco and honeyed malt under heavy smoke. The finish is medium to long, with spicy oak, a hint of damp hay and oily peat smoke.